Folding bed.



l. C. BEACH.

FOLDING BED.

APPLICATION FILED MAY1a.1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

\VITNESSES:

JOHN C. BEACH, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO LACHMAN WALL BED COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING' BED.

Specication of'Letters Patent.

Patented Dec.. e, 121'?.

Application led May'ls, 1915. Serial No. 28,875.

To all whom t may concer/n:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. BEACH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and count of San Francisco and State of California, ave invented new and useful Improvements inl Folding Beds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding beds, and has for its object to improve and simplify the construction and operation thereof.

More particularly, my invention is concerned with providing 'a folding bed which will be self contained; that is to say, one

carried uponnits own base whereby it may be readily transferred from place to place in a room or building and made to occupy any' available' space whether in.A a closet, recess, or elsewhere.- A prime essential of such a bed is that it have a minimum of space requirement. To best eifect this, I employ at the .outset an extremely narrow base from which no parts are. permitted to project when the bed is in folded position thereon. A fulcrum support which will evenly transmit the weight of the bed to the base at all times must be provided and this is' in the form of toggle links which fold compactly with the frame, when the latter is in vertical position, and capable of sustaining the maximum weight requirements, lwhen the bed is in use. 'Counterbalancing mechanism for the bed-frame whichwill be light, compact and durable must also'be inf cluded in the present device. Contractible coil springs are best suited for this purpose, but in rior structures employing similar means, 1t has been necessary to overload them in order to render them of any benet in use and consequently they soon wear out.

I overcome this objection by an improved arrangement of the counterbalancing springs and the lemployment of auxiliary lifting springs in connection with the toggle link fulcrum support, whereby the desired force to balance the bed will be exerted by the springs without their lheingstretched beyond their rated capacity. The head-piece for the bed, which must have a folding movement relative to the frame, has not heretofore been rigidly supported and securely locked when in useful position. The means I', employ for pivotally supporting the lframe make possible the use of toggle links for connecting the head-piece with the fulcrum support. This arrangement efectually overcomes the objections noted.

. One form which my invention may assume 1s exemplified in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying draw` ings, in which- Fi re 1 shows a side elevation of a portion of a bed embodyin my invention, the parts being shown in fo ded position.

Fig. 2 shows a view similar to Fig. 1, with the parts in position for use.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of one -of the base-plates employedin my device, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a front elevation of a complete bed structure embodying my invention.

Fig: 5 shows a detail, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and to the form of my device illustrated therein', it willbe seen that the complete bed structure comprises, generally, a'rnain frame 10, base-plate 11, fulcrum support 12, and a head-piece 13; the yframe being tiltable. on the base-plate through its fulcrum support and the head-piece being 'foldable on the frame. The usual folding legs, not shown, are provided at the foot of the bed for supporting the same in extended position.

v The sidebars lllofthe main frame are formed of channel iron and at their forward ends are connected together bya transverse plate 15 to which plate are attached bed springs 16 for supporting the mattress o1' the like. Working within each of the channel bars, near the forward end thereof, is a roller 17, 'which 1s showngfin Fig. 2 as carried upon the upper end-of a supporting leg 18. The leg 18 is also channel-shaped and is pivoted 'at its lower end l19 to a. bearing support 20 carr 1ed upon the base-plate 11. The fulcrum hnk 21 '1s pivoted to the intermediate portion of the supporting leg and has a pivot-a1 connection 22 with the side 14 of the bed-frame. The link 21 and member 18, in operation,

form a toggle joint and constitute the fulcrum movement and form a rigid support for the bed-frame.

In raising the bed o vertical position, the frame bar 14 rides upon the roller 17 while the front end of the bed swings with the link 21 as a radius bar to a point where said link is folded within the channel of the leg 18 ractically parallel therewith, as shown in Fig. 1. In this position the bed-frame occupies the same angular position as the leg 18 is shown to have in Fi 2 and further movement of the bedto bring it to vertical position takes place about the pivot 19 of the supporting leg. It is, of course, necessary to counterbalance the bed-frame so that in its pivotal action it will move easily. `I provide for this by means of a contractile coil Spring 24 connected to each side bar 14, near the front end thereof,

and extending downwardly where it is connected at its lower end to a link 25 pivotally carried upon the vertical plate 26 of the base-plate 11. Link 25 is free to move downwardly tc the position shown in Fig.

25 1 but is locked in its horizontal position against further movement by means of an adjustable bumper screw 27 seated in the vertical plate 26. The arrangement of the spring. 24 is such that when the bed is 1n 30 horizontal position, said spring is under lts greatest tension and tends always to lift the frame to vertical position. However, when the main frame has been swung about its pivot to about the point shown in dotted ines in Fig. 2, the tension of the spring 1s entirely released and further movement of the frame allows the link 25 to drop downwardly and the spring to assume the position .shown in Fig. 1 where it will be seen that both parts are out of the way of the 'main frame. I find that by carrying the spring 24 upon the folding link 25 I am able to use a longer Spring than otherwise and still keep it clear of the other parts of the bed. The spring, I find, can be of such length as to make overstretching unnecessary and the possibility of such a. spring losing its elasticity or quickly wearing out is greatly minimized.

.50 It will be seen from the description thus far given that the counterbalancing spring 24 comes into use only at the beginning of movement of the bed from horizontal to vertical position and that it exerts no force tending to lift the latter beyond the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. I` find that it is impractical to make any one spring or set'of springs working together lift the bed during its entire movement from horizontal to vertical position. To so employ the springs it would be necessary to overload them. I, therefore, make use of an auxiliary lifting or counterbalancing spring l28 which is arranged between the front end 0f the o5 side bar 14 and the central portion of the supporting leg 18, being connected at 29 to the frame bar and at 30 to the, supportmg leg.

As shown in Fig. 2, this spring is under its greatest tension when the bed is in hori- 70 l28 will tend to move them into folded osition and it is this force which assists in completingthe upward movement of the bedframe from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 to the position where the side bar 14 will be in line with the leg 18, from which latter position to the vertical the movement is a comparatively easy one and is accomplishe'd readily without the assistance of springs merely by slight manual effort. When the parts are folded, spring 28, as shown in Fig. l, lies in the channels of the members 14 and 18 where it is practically 90 hidden from view.

The head-piece 13 is requiredy to be folded into parallel relation with the main frame when the parts are in vertical position and to be held at right angles thereto when the bed is in use. It is found that at times this head-piece will be called upon to sustain great weight and, as arranged in prior struc` tures, this would have a tendency to tilt the frame 10. I overcome this objection and provide a substantial support for the headpiece .by employing a bell-crank 31 fastened to a leg .32 of said head-piece and pivoted at 33 to the side bar 14 from which point it projects downwardly, being formed of 105 rigidly connected links 34. To the lower end of the bell-crank lever is piv'otally connected a link 35, which in turn is pivcted to the leg 1,8, upon the pivot pin 30 ofthe spring 28.4 The bell-crank lever and link 35, in conjunction, form a toggle joint b'etween the head-piece and the leg 18, and by means of them the entire weight of the headpiece is sustained.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the head-piece is of the usual yoke construction' and is rovided with vertical bars 32 at either si e. Spindles36 reinforce the construction of the yoke 13 but do not engage at any point with the transverse plate 15 of the main frame. The bars 32 extend downwardly at the sides of the transverse plate, being spaced therefrom and receiving their support, as indicated, from the bellcranks 29, one of which is arranged on either side of the bed-frame.

Viewing the position of the parts shown in Fig. 2, it will b`e`seen that the toggle links 35 and 29 are in such position as to form a lock against downward movement of the naamw head-piece 13. In moving thev bed structure from horizontal to vertical position, the yoke 13 is maintained in vertical position, a1- though allowed to move downwardly with the front end of the bed-frame. 'At this time the bell-crank 29 swings around, with the link 35 acting ,as a radius rod, until it 4 has reached the folded position shown in Fig. 1, which occurs at the time when the frame bar 14 comes into parallel relation with the leg 18. The yoke 13 at this time will not be 1n vertical position, but assumes such position when the bed structure is rocked to upright position aboutvthe pivot 19 of the legsupport. I preferably provide a stop or rest 37 for each leg of the yoke 13.

This is in the form of a block cast on the vertical plate 26 and of such -size and so positioned as to sustain the full weight of the head-piece when the bedv is in upright folded position. The strain is thus taken olf of the pivots of the toggle links.

A ledge 40, formed upon the base-plate 11, is so positioned as 1to be engaged by the front or lower end ofthe side bar 14 when the latter is in vertical position and the weight of the bed structure is ylargely sustained thereby.

Throughout the specification I have described but one side of the bed structure, but, as shown in Fig. 4, the sides are duplicated as to all parts and operate in the same manner,although it is obvious that one-half.

of the mechanism by being positioned centrally in the bed frame would serve the pur` ose.

A brief summary of the operation of this device follows: From the upright or folded position of the parts,v as shown in Fig. 1, the operator swings the entire structure about the pivot pins 19 of the supporting legs 18 until the latter strike the stops 23, which" will be at an angle of about 909 to the horizontal.` At this time theweight of thebed will have some inuence anda slight pull by the operator will start the frame in its movement about the fulcrum roller 1'? and pivoted link 21. As the force of gravity increases, the spring 28 will come into play and check the falling movement of the bed until a point is reached where the spring is stretched practically its greatest distance, which, as shown in the dotted lines in Fig;

2, will be at a time when the spring 24 isthe base plates. The present structure obviously is well adapted for use in closets or similar recesses. The construction is simple and economical and the same has been shown by actual test to operate with improved ease and facility. y

While I have shown and described but one form of my device herewith, it is to be understood, nevertheless, that many changes in construction and arrangement of the several parts thereof may be resorted to without dep'arting from the spirit of my invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 4 1. In a folding bed, the'combination of a frame, a base-plate, a swinging fulcrum support slidably connected with said frame and pivoted to the base-plate, and a link connection between the front end of the frame and the fulcrum support operable to limit the relative movement between the parts, said link forming with the fulcrum support a oggle connectionto support the head of the g3. ln a folding bed, the combination of a frame, a base-plate, a supporting le pivotally connected to the base-plate an carrying a roller at itsvupper end o erating in a channeled guideway on said rame, means on the base plate for limiting the pivotal movement of said leg upon the support, and

a link pivotally connecting said leg with the frame to limit the movement between the leg and frame.

4. In a folding bed, the combination of a frame, a base-plate, a toggle fulcrum support connecting said frame and base-plate and comprising a leg pivoted to the baseplate and movable with the frame and a pivoted link between the leg and frame, and means acting to fold the members of said toggle when the bed is in slanting position, said'means comprising a contractible coil s ring connected to the intermediate portion of said le and to the frame of the bed.

'5. ln a folding bed, the combination of a channel bar frame, a base plate, a toggle llti fulcrum support connecting the frame with comprising a contractible coil spring secured tothe forward end of the channel bar frame and to the intermediate portion of the channel bar leg and adapted to lie in the recess in said channel when the parts are in folded position.

6. In a folding bed, the combination of a frame, a base-plate, a toggle fulcrum support connecting the frame and the baseplate, a spring tending to fold the members lof said toggle when the frame is in slanting position, and a counter-balancing spring for assisting in the ,initial folding movement of the frame. l

7. In a folding bed, the combination of a frame,.a base-plate, a toggle fulcrum support connecting the frame and the base-plate, a spring tending to fold the members of said toggle when the frame is in slanting position, and a counter-balancing spring for assisting in the initial folding movement of the frame, said counterbalancing spring being connected to the front end of the bedframe and a downwardly movable linkcar-` ried on the base-plate.

8. In a folding bed, the combination of atiltable frame, a movable fulcrum support therefor, a counterbalancing spring acting to initially lift the frame from horizontal position, and a second spring connecting the fulcrum support with the bed-frame for completing the lifting movement.

9. In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a base therefor, a toggle fulcrum support between the frame and base, a counterbalancin sprin between the frame and base to initially ft the frame from horizontal position, and a second spring connecting the fulcrum support with the frame for completing the movement of the latter to a substantially vertical position.

10. In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a fulcrum support therefor,

a base-plate to receive the fulcrum support for said frame, a link pivotally carried on the baselate and movable from a pendent to a horlzontal position, and a counterbalancing spring connected to said frame and to said link whereby the spring may be folded upon the base-plate when the frame is raised to vertical position to clear the end of said frame. i

11. In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a base-plate to receive the fulcrum support for said frame, a link pivotally carried on the base-plateand movable from a pendent to a horizontal position, a counterbalancing spring connected to said frame and to said link whereby it may be folded when the frame is raised to* vertical position, and adjustable limitin means for said link whereby the tension of the spring may be varied.

l2. ln a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a movable fulcrum support therefor, a folding end-piece for the frame, and a toggle connection betweensaid endpiece and the fulcrum support for sustaining the weight of the former when the bed is in horizontal position.

13. In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a movable fulcrum support therefor, an end-piece for the frame, a bellcrank lever connecting the end-piece to the frame, and means connecting the bell-crank lever to the fulcrum support whereby the weight of said end-piece is sustained and the same is maintained in vertical position.

14. In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a fulcrum support therefor, an end-piece pivotally connected to the frame and foldable therewith, and means connecting the end-piece and fulcrum support for transmitting the weight of said end-piece when in operative position to the fulcrum support.

15. In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a fulcrum support therefor, an end-piece pivotally connected to theframe and foldable therewith, means connecting the end-piece and fulcrum support for transmitting the weight of said end-piece to the fulcrum support when the bed is in horizontal position, and a base-plate to support saidend-piece when the bed is in verti-v cal position.

16. In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a base-plate, a movable fulcrum support pivoted to the base-plate and connected to the frame, said support being normally inclined from "the vertical, and counterbalancing means for swinging said frame pivotally about the fulcrum support from a horizontal to an oblique position to bring the two into parallel relation, said parts being thereupon movable about the pivot of the fulcrum support with the base to complete the movement of the frame to vertical position.

17 In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a base-plate, a supporting leg pivotally connected to the base-plate, a pivoted link connecting thesupporting leg with the frame, said link and leg forming a toggle joint, means whereby the frame in its movement from horizontal to vertical position is. irst moved about its pivots on said fulcrum support untilthe frame and supporting leg are brought td parallel relation, and means whereby the complete movement to vertical position takes place about the pivot of said leg on the base-plate.

18. In a folding bed, the combination of a tiltable frame, a base-plate, a fulcrum support pivoted to the base-plate and having a toggle connection with said frame, means for retaining the fulcrum support in inclined position when the bed is 1n horizontal position, a counterbalancing spring for assisting in the initial movement of said frame from horizontal to vertical position, and a the base-plate to complete the movement to w spring on said fulcrum support adapted to Vertical position.

be broughtv into position for lifting the In testimony whereof I have hereunto set frame when the counterbalancing spring my hand in the -presence of two subscribing has completed its Work, said last'mentioned wltnesses.

spring acting to fold the frame into substan- J @HN C. BEACH. tially parallel relation with the fulcrum suyla- Witnesses:

port, said parts being thereupon movab e about the pivot of the. fulcrum support on 

